Pearls of the Deep (1965)

Set against the backdrop of a repressed Czechoslovakia, five non-related vignettes are presented, each showcasing the need and want for human connection. In "Mr. Baltazar's Death", a middle... See full summary »

Directors:

Vera Chytilová, Jaromil Jires

Writers:

Vera Chytilová (segment), Bohumil Hrabal (short stories)

Stars:

Pavla Marsálková, Ferdinand Kruta, Alois Vachek

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pavla Marsálková	...	Matka (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Ferdinand Kruta	...	Otec (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Alois Vachek	...	Mrzák (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Emil Iserle	...	Stryc (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Miroslav Nohýnek	...	Chlapec (segment "smrt pana baltazara")
Vlasta Spánková	...	Dívka (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Jirí Menzel	...	Bicyclist (segment "Smrt pana Baltazara")
Milos Ctrnacty	...	Zpevák (segment "Podvodníci")
Frantisek Havel	...	Novinár (segment "Podvodníci")
Josef Hejl	...	Holic (segment "Podvodníci")
Jan Vasák	...	Zrizenec (segment "Podvodníci")
Jirí Reichl	...	Boy with fracture (segment "Podvodníci")
Josefa Pechlatová	...	Matka (segment "Dum radosti")
Václav Zák	...	Malír (segment "Dum radosti")
Ivan Vyskocil	...	Uredník (segment "Dum radosti")

Storyline

Set against the backdrop of a repressed Czechoslovakia, five non-related vignettes are presented, each showcasing the need and want for human connection. In "Mr. Baltazar's Death", a middle aged couple who are experts at mechanics, travel to a motorcycle race where they congregate with the masses on the section of the course where historically there has been the most action of the destructive kind. In "Imposters", two elderly hospital patients talk about their past professional glories as a journalist and light opera star respectively. Each man wants to hear about the other more than tell his own story for good reason. In "The House of Joy", two national insurance agents believe they have an easy sale when they visit an elderly goat farmer/amateur painter, who uses whatever surface as his canvass, and paints his life and his dreams. But the sale will not be as easy as the men first believe it will be. In "The Restaurant the World", a wedding reception is taking place in one part of a ...

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Plot Keywords:

anthology film | portmanteau film | multiple directors | collection of short films | collective filmmaking | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Czechoslovakia

Language:

Czech Romany English

Release Date:

7 January 1966 (Czechoslovakia)

Also Known As:

Pearls on the Ground

Filming Locations:

Automat Svet, Liben, Prague, Czech Republic

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmové studio Barrandov

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (segment)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Fanfan la Tulipe (1952)

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Soundtracks

Zdvorilý Woody
Music by Jirí Slitr, lyrics by Jirí Suchý
Performed by Karel Gott

User Reviews

Visually arresting anthology from the Czech New Wave

I've been drinking so I'll make this quick. What we have here are five short films from five different directors of the Czech New Wave, based on the stories of Bohumil Hrabal.

Though some are more successful than other (the standouts being Jires' "Romance" and Schorm's "Dum Radosti") this is a more than worthwhile anthology.

Existing in all the stories is the desire to communicate and be social, but each stories is told with a refreshing directorial style: from observational objectivity, to absurd surrealism, to cynical social commentary.

I'm not prepared to probe much further currently, but if you've seen anything from the Czech New Wave, and enjoyed its blend of humanism, humour, and cinematic vigilance, then this is a film certainly worthy of your time.

NOTE: Though I'm sure someone will eventually offer something better, I felt the need to write this only because there is currently one other review for this film and I disagree with it!